Becoming an Empty Vessel
By Chelsey Knutowicz on January 30th, 2018
A new season has come into each of our lives, for “the old has passed away”. At Living Hope Church we eagerly welcome all that the Lord has planned for our ministries in 2018. One of the ministries we are passionate about is our LHC Young Adult group. Along with our children and youth programs, our 18 to 30 somethings are actively pursuing a relationship with Jesus in the context of community. Chelsey Knutowicz is faithfully organizing monthly gatherings, alongside her husband Josh, that invite young people to do life together in a setting of faith and love. Below is the story of their January retreat, and Chelsey’s testimony of God’s willingness to refill all of our empty places.
We were on kitchen duty Saturday before the evening service at Wekiwa Springs. Ben and Josh were washing dishes next to an open window letting in the cool night air. Keith, a guy we just met over dinner, walks up and sticks his head in the window and jokingly asks for a burger to go. Ben looked over at Josh and said what do we give for takeout? In the next instant Josh turned the sprayer on that he was using, sending a stream of water smack into Keith’s face. Keith’s face showed his surprise and then everyone broke out laughing, including Keith. This story is not only hilarious, even in the retelling, but it defines our Young Adult Retreat at Wekiwa Springs. I went on this weekend trip not expecting anything but God to show up, and to meet new people. Throughout my time there I realized that God doesn’t always follow what we expect; His plans and purpose are sometimes the unexpected.
Over the course of the weekend we met several new people, like Keith, and were able to just sit, talk, and share. It was a very relaxed atmosphere where there was a feeling of all of us being of one accord to meet Jesus there. He was the main focus, the reason we had gathered together in a place far from home. Looking back I see that this re-affirms the mission and heart of the LHC Young Adult group: relationships. We come together to create an opportunity to join with others of like-mind, to host a place for genuine fellowship, and to provide young adults with a support base of positive influence in a world of consuming distractions.
This trip came at the perfect time for the new year. To focus just on God and what He is wanting, the first thing I wrote in my journal was to be an empty vessel, to not have any expectations. As you may know I tend to be detailed oriented, to always need a plan. This weekend became unexpectedly not planned, other than getting there and service times. It was beautiful and refreshing. I was able to have time to journal and just enjoy nature. It wasn’t a weekend of getting all God could give me and returning back to the mundane of life. As Pastor Prakash said last week during our first Friday Night Fire of the new year, “empty yourself, God’s going to refill it.” It was the start of something new, beginning with worship.
Jose Diaz the main speaker for the Wekiwa Retreat said something that has stuck with me “worship is never the initiation it’s always the response to God.” We are created to worship the God who created us. As a song from Bethel Music says “Singing to the One who has been singing to us the whole time; returning the love song.” To do that as we are meant to we must empty ourselves, and have a clean heart. We must forgive any grievances that could hold us back, to worship God by trusting Him with our issues. If worship is what we are created to do why wouldn’t renewing ourselves start with worship?
Interestingly enough the number “8” represents a new beginning, meaning a new order or creation. 2018 is a year for renewing, refreshing, refilling, and new beginnings. Even though January is almost over don’t let the new year become the past already. Let the feelings of the New Year continue on, and worship in all you do with a clean heart. Empty yourself out, and allow God’s Holy Spirit to fill up every available space you are willing to make.
Fill us up God!
Chelsey Knutowicz
